The Music Industry Conference, MIC, is returning to OnCenter, 800 S. State St., on Friday, Nov. 11, and Saturday, Nov. 12, this year featuring five music industry speakers. Friday's headlining event will be the Syracuse Area Music Awards (Sammys). Return guest Martin Atkins will be speaking about his three decades in the music business as an expert of entrepreneurial activity in the arts and will address the current state of the music industry and where it's headed.

Matt Ramone, son of well-known music producer Phil Ramone, will be speaking as well as Harvey Leeds, Syracuse University alum and former employee of Epic Records, Sony Music and Live Nation. Leeds will bring his knowledge of the industry and well-trained ear designed for finding and signing new talent.

Also aboard for the weekend: author and blogger Moses Avalon, well-known for writing Million Dollar Mistakes: Steering Your Music Career Clear of Lies, Cons, Catastrophes, and Landmines (Backbeat Books, 2005) and Confessions of a Record Producer (Backbeat, 2002), and Peter Spellman, author of The Musician's Internet: On-Line Strategies for Success in the Music Industry (Berklee Press, 2002) and The Self-Promoting Musician: Strategies for Independent Music Success (Berklee, 2000).

Panels featuring entertainment attorneys, producers, venue managers, club owners and media will be offered at MIC in addition to the speakers and ample opportunities for networking. Selected bands will entertain.

Badges and wristbands are available for purchase by anyone interested in learning more about the music industry at www.micnys.com for $50. High school students can attend for free if their teachers contact Debbie Foley at 247-1718 to arrange entry for students.

-Jessica Novak